parasympathetic nervous system

noun

: the part of the autonomic nervous system that contains chiefly cholinergic fibers, that tends to induce secretion, to increase the tone and contractility of smooth muscle, and to slow heart rate, and that consists of a cranial and a sacral part compare sympathetic nervous system

Examples of parasympathetic nervous system in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Summary Breathing exercises can temporarily lower blood pressure and heart rate through activation of the parasympathetic nervous system. Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 16 Jan. 2025 The pressure from a self-hug mimics the sensation of being embraced by someone else, activating the parasympathetic nervous system. Mark Travers, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025 Research from Harvard Medical School shows that intentional breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting a sense of calm. Tess Brigham, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025 This interplay activates your parasympathetic nervous system, slowing your heart rate, lowering blood pressure and promoting relaxation. Mark Travers, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for parasympathetic nervous system 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1934, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of parasympathetic nervous system was circa 1934

Dictionary Entries Near parasympathetic nervous system

Cite this Entry

“Parasympathetic nervous system.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parasympathetic%20nervous%20system. Accessed 15 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

parasympathetic nervous system

noun
: the part of the autonomic nervous system that is concerned with controlling the body during normal routine situations and that tends to cause secretion of the digestive and salivary glands and slow the heart rate and that acts on bodily organs by releasing acetylcholine at the ends of nerve fibers supplying them compare sympathetic nervous system

Medical Definition

parasympathetic nervous system

noun
: the part of the autonomic nervous system that contains chiefly cholinergic fibers, that tends to induce secretion, to increase the tone and contractility of smooth muscle, and to slow the heart rate, and that consists of (1) a cranial part made up of preganglionic fibers leaving and passing the midbrain by the oculomotor nerves and the hindbrain by the facial, glossopharyngeal, vagus, and accessory nerves and passing to the ciliary, sphenopalatine, submandibular, and otic ganglia of the head or to ganglionated plexuses of the thorax and abdomen and postganglionic fibers passing from these ganglia to end organs of the head and upper trunk and (2) a sacral part made up of preganglionic fibers emerging and passing in the sacral nerves and passing to ganglionated plexuses of the lower trunk and postganglionic fibers passing from these plexuses chiefly to the viscera of the lower abdomen and the external genital organs

called also parasympathetic system

compare sympathetic nervous system

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